Have a Question?

You are in luck! Since summer here, I have more time to blog. I try to do a question and answer post every once in a while, so now is as good a time as any.

If you have any questions, leave them in a comment, and I'll get to them in the next few days!

Who Runs this Thing?

I've had several anonymous comments over the past week about a certain subject, so I thought I would answer it here. They will say something like, "I want to thank the staff here at dropletsonajournal.blogspot.com/ for their work." My personal favorite was, "Can I get a staff member to answer my question?"

So, for all who are curious, this site isn't run by a staff. It is run by me and me only. I got a good laugh out of those comments, though. I guess people think that several people contribute to this site, but it's just me. I plan to have some guests posts occasionally, but what you read here is my life...my stories.

Someone thought I completely made up the Memories Rewind posts, and when I responded that these were things that happened to me or someone in my family as I was growing up, they were surprised. Needless to say, I had a great childhood for the most part. :) I do all of those from memory, except for My Favorite Place, which was taken out of my middle school literary magazine. I have made up some stories, and I may share them here one day.

I'm always curious as to what people are thinking when they read my blog, and know I know (a little bit). For all of you who read, but never comment, why don't you leave me a question in the comments? I'd love to hear from you!

Promoting Your Blog

I had an interesting question someone asked recently I thought I would share with you.

Anonymous said, "Wow...this blog is so popular. I just wanted to know how do you monetize it? Can you give me a few advices? For example, I use http://www.bigextracash.com/aft/2e7bfeb6.html I'm earning about $1500 per month at the moment. What will you recommend?"

First of all, thanks for the compliment. To answer your question, I don't monetize my blog. I don't have any ads on here. In other words, I don't earn any money from my blog. I do this because I love it. It's not that I'm opposed to making money doing what I love, but that's not why I started this blog. (I don't want to put random ads on here that have nothing to do with causes I don't support.)

Writing is my passion. It's actually like breathing for me. I try not to go a day without writing something. This blog isn't popular because of anything I've done, I can assure you. I write about things that God lays on my heart as well as my life in general. I can only hope that it touches someone in some way. This blog started out as a way for me to journal my thoughts, but as I began seeking God, He wanted something more. He wanted me to share my talent, so whether one person or one hundred people read this...I'm OK. It's about doing what God wants, and I don't want to miss out on what He has for me.

I did submit my URL to Yahoo, Google, and Bing about a month ago. It's free. You won't earn any money by doing this, it just makes sure your site will show up when people are searching these sites. It may get you a few more readers. Bing is a relatively new site, but it can't hurt to do it. Go here to submit your URL.

My advice for you is to be yourself. Don't try to be the next big blog. That will only lead to frustration and burnout. You have to have a passion that drives you regardless of what others are doing. Find your niche. Write about things you love. If you are struggling for topics, start there. People will be more receptive of that. People who know me in real life will tell you that I am the same person on this blog as I am in real life. This is my story. You are reading my raw emotions. Some days are good and some days are not so good, and I think that has helped make this blog what is today.

I don't have any earth-shattering tips on this subject. I'm just a writer...and I like that. If you want advice on how to promote your blog, e-mail Louise at Adori Graphics. She has people that sponsor her blog, so she would be much more help in that area.

As always, if you have any questions, just ask!

Mish Mash of Questions

This accidently posted early(as in last week when I was editing it), so I apologize to those of you who didn't think I posted today. Those of you who faithfully read were rewarded. :) I was recently tagged by Kelly from MayShe Dream to do a Q&A post. These are questions that she made up, so this should be fun!


1. What's your favorite musical?

Phantom of the Opera without a doubt. We had to watch it in my high school chorus class. I can identify with the phantom because he had facial deformity that he was mocked and taunted for. While I don't have anything wrong with my face, I've endured my share of teases and jokes from people because of my disability. I have a lot more to say about scars, but I'm saving it for a future post.

2. What's your worst fear?

I guess I would have to say water. I almost drowned when I was younger, so that really scared me. I've taken swimming lessons since then, but it takes a person with patience and understanding of my disability to be able to make that work. I have done pool therapy in the past, so I'm not opposed to it at all. I've just had several bad experiences with people I thought I could trust.


3. Favorite outdoor activity?

Sitting outside on the porch or roasting marshmallows. I'm not hard to please.

4. What do you wish to achieve by 2011?

I want some answers in regards to my pain. We are headed in the right direction. I had an appointment a few weeks ago, and we are trying a new medicine. I have to go for a follow-up appointment in a few months. I'm taking things a day a time. I don't really have any major life goals coming up next year. For now, I'm still going to college.


5. What's your most loved food?


I love spaghetti, especially my Memaw's. The homemade marinara sauce with a side a garlic bread is like heaven on a plate.


6. If you got the opportunity to travel, were would you most love to go?


I would love to go to Spain. I always like to see how other people live, what foods they eat, etc. They have such a strong sense of family there, too.


7. If you had a 100.00 dollars/pounds what would you spend it on and why?


I would spend it on books. I just recently made a list of books that I'd love to read. You can never go wrong enriching your life with knowledge. It will always outlast material things like clothes and jewelry.


8. What's the most magical moment of your teen years?




My teenage years were filled with many surgeries which meant that I didn't get to get out of the house much, but their is one memory that I will never forget. My youth leader called after one of my surgeries asking if I would be able to come to church that Wednesday night. When I asked why, he was very mischievous. I said we would be there. When we arrived, my entire youth group yelled, "Surprise!" They had cake and chips, but the most special part was a card that they had cut out in the shape of my name. Inside, everyone had signed it.

On the back, they drew a bar code and put "We Care" in place of numbers. I was speechless! It meant so much to me that each one of them put thought into making that night special for me.

I tag whoever wants to do this. :)

Here are my questions for you. These are completely made up.

• What movie would you use to describe your life? Why?



• What is your favorite dessert?



• If you were sent on an undercover mission for a day what would it be like?



• Would you rather be able to travel back in time or be invisible?



• Name one guilty pleasure.

P.S. Here's the link to one of my Picasa web albums if you want to see the details of the card bigger. If I do huge pictures in my posts, it messes with the flow of the words. Yes, I could do them just plain centered, but I like to mix things up a bit by having my pictures to the left. I bet some of you just got Beyonce's song stuck in your head, didn't you? You can thank me for that. :)

A Different Kind of Q&A

I'm sure I piqued your interest with my last post because cerebral palsy isn't often talked about from a point of view like mine. Sadly, most children with CP (this is the abbreviation for cerebral palsy) can't talk and are totally dependent on their parents.

Blonde Duck asked a question that I thought would be best shared with everyone. "Do people ever try to help you too much, like just totally go overboard and treat you like a baby?"

For the most part, no. My Mama has raised me to be independent. If I can do it myself, I will. Sometimes I have to remind people of that. :) For the past few years, things have changed a little bit. Since the infection(aka mystery diagnosis by the doctors) happened soon after my spinal fusion, I didn't get my mobility back right away like I should have because I was bedridden unexpectedly. My mom has to help me put my pants and shoes on...for now. I'm constantly working to regain the motion of bending in my back. I can bend a little, but I have to be careful.

One thing that has changed in me as a result of everything is my level of humility. I didn't like to ask for help because I didn't want to be a burden on anyone. Now, if someone wants to open the door I let them because it's an opportunity for them to do something for me while feeling good about themselves.

I normally don't do many Q&As, but I thought I would open this up to my readers. Have any questions about cerebral palsy or my life? Ask away! (Email is always open, too.) I'll answer them on Wednesday or Thursday.

Questions Answered!

I did have a few questions from Krystyn, so here it goes.

What is your favorite book?

I'll break this one down into two types. My favorite children's book would have to be the Wishing Well. I couldn't find the author, but I loved that book because it was filled with whimsy. My favorite as an adult(other than the ones I've mentioned on here) would be The Will of Wisteria by Denise Hildreth. She's a great author! Edit: As Denise Hildreth commented, the cover is still the same.

Are your toenails always painted? What color?

No, my toenails aren't always painted. I leave them bare every now and then. Well actually, they are bare more often than not right now. If I'm not having muscle spasms, I get my mom to paint them for me. In the summer I like to wear medium pinks or shimmery oranges. Sometimes red too, but it can get a little messy.

Tam asked what makes you happy and why?-- This question was just submitted.

A good movie. Getting to go out for a few hours without pain. The praise and worship at my church. I love a good movie because not many things are worth watching these days. Having a day with minimal pain gives me the strength to keep believing for my miracle. A day without pain is so freeing. The praise and worship at my church is something that can't be explained. The music springs forth like a river. It's so awesome and humbling to be in services like that.

Since there were not many questions, I will share some things with you. I got some fabulous news today! I've made all A's this semester! I was a little worried about one class, but I did it with God's help. Let's just say I breathed a huge sigh of relief when that class was over. It was more demanding than my the classes that pertained to my major, and it was only an elective. I was determined not to give up, even when things weren't easy.

I will update on my medication progress soon. I have a post written I just wanted to wait a little while before I posted it.

Q & A Session

I'm doing something that I never thought I would do on this blog. After much thought, I've decided to do a question and answer session. Since you all comment about your lives, I figured I could share a little about myself. If you're anything like me, you're curious about things!

So, get your questions ready! I'll answer anything (with reason). No inappropriate questions will be answered. Have something you want to ask, but would prefer to do it privately? Email me. The questions will be answered on Monday, May 10th.

P.S. Notice anything different? I've added the Blog FrOg widget. Just take a few minutes to sign up for an account and you'll show up on any blogger's profile that has this widget. This gives my awesome readers a chance to find many more fabulous bloggers!

Update: C'mon ya'll! No one has any questions for me?